Towns

Frances Ann Norman, 72, Known as the Story Lady

Frances Ann (Branagan) Norman of Natick died on Oct. 11, following a
long illness, at the home of her daughter, Sheryl E. (Sherry) Norman in
Plainville surrounded by family. She was 72.

She was born in Natick the daughter of the late Vincent A. and
Katherine A. (McCarthy) Branagan and was a 1949 graduate of Natick High
School.

Mrs. Norman was a lifelong Natick resident who devoted her life to
being a homemaker and caring for her family. She was an avid reader and
for years worked as a volunteer librarian, becoming known as the story
lady for telling stories to the students at the Bennett-Hemenway
Elementary School which all of her children attended in Natick. For many
years Mrs. Norman was a member of the reunion planning committee of her
high school graduating class. Later she worked as a nanny, caring for
several sets of twins and, ironically, became the grandmother of twins
herself.

During the summer, Mrs. Norman spent time with family and friends at
Lake Cochituate near their family home.

She is survived by two daughters, Sheryl E. Norman and husband,
Richard Dankel, of Plainview; Kristen Casey and husband, Donald Casey,
of Edgartown; two sons, Robert J. (Rocky) Norman, Jr. in Arizona; and S.
Vincent Norman of Shrewsbury; three grandchildren, Anna Elizabeth Dankel
and Robert N. (Bo) Dankel, both of Plainview; and Kiana Fay Casey of
Edgartown; two sisters, Alyce Fraser of Natick; and Mary Coutu of Acton;
a brother, Lawrence Branagan of Wellesley. Also, Mrs. Norman is survived
by the father of her children, Robert J. Norman, Sr. of South Natick.

A memorial service in celebration of her life has tentatively been
scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the John Everett
and Sons Memorial Home, 4 Park street, in Natick. A reception will
follow. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Walpole
Area Visiting Nurse Association, P.O. Box 252, Walpole, MA 02081.